Emerald Toucanette

Taken near the Caribbean low elevation jungles.

What technical feedback would you like if any?

The plumage on this Toucanette is pretty rough and started to look a little crunchy so I added a layer of major noise reduction to soften it up.

What artistic feedback would you like if any?

Pertinent technical details or techniques:

(If backgrounds have been removed, etc. please be honest with your techniques to help others learn)

Iso-1600, 500 mm 5.6 PF at F7 .1, 800th, handheld, close to full frame, D 500, DxO Photo Lab, Adobe Camera Raw 11.2, Topaz AI Clear, Topaz Adjust, TK sharpening action at 1 ,%.

If you would like your image to be eligible for a feature on the NPN Instagram (@NaturePhotoNet), add the tag ‘ig’ and leave your Instagram username below.
You may only download this image to demonstrate post-processing techniques.
1 Like

An interesting technique, David. Could you go into a bit more detail? Was the noise reduction on an unprocessed layer? or did you apply it to one after sharpening? I usually back off on my Topaz Detail layer in those situations, but this method sounds like it could have some advantages.

Great pose and I like the light.

The colors in this portrait and the pose look great, David. The feather details look right as presented.

Several years ago, my main issue with my photographs seemed to be over sharpening and color casts. I learned early on that Topaz DeNoise did a good job of softening over sharpened images. What I do is make a duplicate layer, use the Topaz DeNoise program in strong or strongest mode and then use the eraser tool to re-sharpen the areas of the image that need it. Then I just flatten the layers. It seems to work quite well and other noise reduction programs will probably do the same.

Interesting technique, David. I’ll have to play with it.